Dr. Chen as a PI has been awarded over 10 major research grants, from agencies including the National Natural Science Fund of China (NSFC), Macao Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT), Research Fund of the University of Macau, International S&T Cooperation Program of Guangdong Province, and Program from Key laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Chinese Academy of Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University. Since 2010, Dr. Chen has published more than 80 peer-reviewed SCI papers as the first or corresponding author, many of which appear in top-tier pharmaceutics and biomaterials journals including ACS Nano, Advanced Functional Materials, Biomaterials, Journal of Controlled Release, Molecular Pharmaceutics, and Pharmaceutical Research. Her academic achievements have been recognized by 1st/2nd/4th Macao Science and Technology Awards – Natural Science Award (2012/2014/2018). She (co-)supervises more than 20 PhD/MSc graduates: one student received the 9th China Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award; seven students received the Macao Science and Technology Award-Scientific and Technological R&D Awards for Postgraduates; and more than twenty conference awards.

Research Contents

Dr. Meiwan Chen’s research focuses on biomaterial and nanomedicine, especially on development of targeted drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. The research ranges from design and synthesis of novel lipidic and polymeric carriers to mechanistic understanding of delivery barriers and to in vivostudies of relevant tumor models. The emphasis is on improving the efficacy of chemotherapeutics that have poor water-solubility, fast metabolism, non-selectivity, and drug resistance. Leveraging on the expertise and resources of the SKL of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine at the University of Macau, the lab also develops nanomedicines combining Chinese and Western medicinal compounds for synergistic effects.